Therapeutic vibrator



Feb. 26, 1952 D. M. PETERSON THERAPEUTIC VIBRATOR Filed Feb. 5, 1948 4x INVENTOR.

Q OIPOTHY M- PETERSON BY i l y @Mx/wo d A TTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 'Ihis invention relates to therapeutic vibrators and more particularly to a vibrant mounting for oscillating motors.

Among the objects of the invention is the provision of a controlled motor base for modulating the oscillation of off-balance motors of therapeutic apparatus in this class.

Another object is the provision of means for adjusting the vibratory range of the vibrator to a rate desired by the user. A further object is to cushion the contacts between vibratory parts of the apparatus to dampen or minimize the noise of operation.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds. In the specification and the accompanying drawings the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form; because it may be embodied in modifications Within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a motor mounting assembly constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view from below of the same.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a conventional chair having this invention installed beneath the seat, portions of the seat upholstery being broken away. p

Fig. 4 is a similar view of an oscillating unit partially broken away in vertical section with the motor mounting assembly installed therein.

Fig. 5 is a modification in a side elevation of the imodulator board mounted directly upon the base.

In detail the structure shown in Fig. 1 com? prisesthe base board I with its four corners attached to the chair bottom X by screws such as 2, with the interposed rubber discs such as 3 interposed between the base board I and the underside of the chair bottom X.

The motor unit 4-is attached to the modulator board 5 by the boltsI such as 6 passing through the base board I, the interposed rubber buttons "I, the ilange 8 of the motor base and secured by the nuts 9. There are prefer,- ably four such bolts 6 and buttons 1 for firmly mounting the motor 4 on the base board I with the interposed modulator board.'

The carriage step type damper bolt I Il passing through the base board IV and the modulator board 5 is anchoredagainst turning in the base board. The adjustingwing nut II is threaded on the damper bolt and bears against the rubber cushion I2 interposed between the modulator board and the wing nut. In the present assembly the induction motor 4 is a single phase shaded pole type but may be any suitable motive means.- The protruding shaft ends I3 and I4 of the motor have the weights I5 and I6 eccentrically xed thereon, respectively. These eccentric weights throw the motor out of balance and cause it to oscillate transversely to the axis of the motor `shaft which is in line with the lengthof the modulator board 5.

The resilient rubber buttons I permit the modulator board to vibrate up and down relative to the plane of the base board I under adjustable control of the damper bolt assembly III-I2. This form of directional oscillation should not be confused with the diiusive stimulating effect of vibrating massage devices manually applied locally.

The chair shown in Fig. 3 has the tubular frame Il, the thinly padded seat I8 and the curved back I9 of conventional construction and is preferred to the ordinary chair because of its simplicity and sturdy construction, but the present invention may be installed on reclining seats, beds and any other form of human body support. The oscillating assembly is attached beneath the chair seat board X as shown in Fig. 1.

This invention operates substantially as follows: When the wing nut II is backed oi it frees the modulator board from control. The eccentric weights I5 and I6 set up an on center load on the motor 4 that perceptibly slows down itsrevolutions per minute to which .the modulator board 5 harmoniously reciprocates. Tightening the wing nut II adds an extra load to the eccentric weights and further slows down the motor speed and increases the amount of oscillation throughout the structure to which the invention is applied, as in Fig. 3.

A user sitting upright on the cushion I8 and leaning back against the curved back I9 is gently shaken throughout the Whole mass of his body from the soles of the feet to the scalp of theL head. This imparts a soothing relaxing effect upon the body. Adjustment of the wing nut II enables the user to adjust the apparatus to` a desired rate of vibratory oscillation.

In Fig. 4, the same general structure of the invention to a chair or the like and may in some instances be omitted by attaching the modulator board assembly directly to the bottom X of the chair.

In the modication shown in Fig. 5, the modulator board 5x is attached directly to the chair seat X3: by the wood screws 5x passing through the motor base 8x, and the resilient buttons 1x and are screwed into the chair seat Xx. The damper bolt lx has the head Ilm by which it is screwed into `the chair seat board Xm and bears against the cushion |21: for adjusting the modulator board as described.

In practice the base board l as shown is about one foot long with the rest of the assembly in proportion but size is a matter of choice in meeting special requirements. Thev base board I and the modulator board 5 are preferably made of plywood because of its strength and low resonant qualities, but these parts may be composed of metal plates, plastic sheets or other suitable materials.

Having fully described this invention and its mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A therapeutic apparatus comprising a basel member, a vibratable modulator member for providing control of rate of vibration, an offbalance motor mounted on said modulator member, means securing said modulator member to said base member at one portion of said modulator member, resilient means interposed between the inner side of said modulator member and said base member at said one portion, an opposite portion of said modulator member being spaced from said base member, adjustable connecting means at said opposite portion and connected to said base member, said connecting means having an adjustable member, and resilient means associated with said adjustable member and said modulator member whereby said adjustable connecting means and said latter resilient means provide a controllable damper for said modulator member.

2. A therapeutic apparatus comprising a base member, a Vibratable modulator member for providing controlv of rate of vibration, means Securing said modulator member to said base member at one portion of said modulator member, an o-balance motor mounted on said modulator member and secured thereto by said securing means, resilient means interposed between the inner side of said modulator member and said base member at said one portion, an

opposite portion of said modulator member be- 5 ing spaced from said base member, adjustable connecting means at said opposite portion and connected to said base member, said connecting means having an adjustable member, and resilient means associated withsaid adjustable member and said modulator member whereby said adjustable connecting means and said latter resilient means provide a controllable damper for said modulator member.

3. A therapeutic apparatus in the form of a unitary attachment adapted to be securedto a human body supporting object and comprising a base member adapted to be secured to said object, a vibratable modulator member for providing control of rate of vibration spaced from said base member, an off-balance motor mounted on said modulator member, means securing said modulator member to said base member at one portion of said modulator member, resilient means interposed between the inner side of said modulator member and said base member at said one portion, an opposite portion of said modulator member being spaced from said base member, adjustable connecting means at said opposite portion and connected to said base member, said connecting means having an adjustable member at the outer side of said modulator member, and resilient means interposed between said adjustable member and said outer side of said modulator member whereby said adjustable connecting means and said latter resilient means provide a controllable damper for said modulator` member.

4. A therapeuticA apparatus in the form of a unitary attachment adapted tov be secured to a human body supporting object and comprising a base member adapted to be secured to said object, a vibratable modulator member for providing control of rate of vibration spaced from said base member, securing -means comprising bolts passing through said base member and through said modulator member adjacent one end of said modulator member, resilient means adjacent said bolts interposed between the inner side of said modulator member and said base member, van off-balance motor securedto said modulator member by said securing means, ad' justable connecting means comprising a bolt passing through said base member and through said modulator member adjacent an opposite end of said modulator member and connected to vSaid base member, said bolt rhaving an adjustable member at the outer side of said modulator member, and resilient means interposed betweenY said adjustable member and said outer side of said modulator member whereby said adjustable connecting means and said latter resilient means provide a controllable damper for said modulator member.

5. A therapeutic apparatus comprising a base member, an elongated substantially flat modulator member for providing control of rate of vibration spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said base member, an off-balance motor mounted on lsaid modulator member adjacent one end thereof, means securing said modulator member to said base member at said end of said modulator member, resilient means interposed between the inner side of ,said modulator member and said base member at `said end, adjustable connecting means at the opposite end Vof said modulator member and connected to said base member, said connecting means having an adjustable member, and resilient means associated with Asaid adjustable member and said modulator member whereby said vadjustable connecting means and said latter resilient means provide a controllable damper for said modulator member.

DOROTHY M. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record :in the le of this patent:

UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number `Name ADate 769,466 Brendel Sept. 6,1904 1,818,287 Wahl Aug. 1l, 1931 1,918,458 Dreml July 18, 1933 1,984,397 `Dalyze Dec. 18, 1934 .2,009,730 Fisher July 30, 1935 2,235,183 Wett1aufer. Mar. 18, 1941 2,420,965 .Mininberg May .20, 1947 

